Superstorm Sandy Victims Get Hit With Power Bills for Blackout

Long Island residents who spent weeks without power are starting to get their electric bills — and they’re finding that the bills are just as high, or higher, in some cases than if the power had stayed on.

Long Island Power Authority bills went out this week, charging Long Island residents estimated rates to cover the entire billing cycle, The New York Postreports.

Some customers said they even got bills for properties where the power is still out.

Jonathan Saporta told the paper he got a double LIPA bill — one for a Long Beach home he left in October and another for his new apartment, and he’s expecting a $1,700 bill for his restaurant in Long Beach, which still has no power.

“I am not paying any of my bills, that much I promise,” said Saporta. “They can put me into collections, and I’ll fight them tooth-and-nail. It’s simply criminal.”

LIPA did not comment. Meanwhile, Con Ed wants to refund Manhattan customers who lost power $3 and customers from other boroughs $6, according to filings with the Public Service Commission.

Long Island residents who spent weeks without power are starting to get their electric bills — and they’re finding that the bills are just as high, or higher, in some cases than if the power had stayed on.